updated 09:35 am EST, Fri February 13, 2009

Huawei 3G, Wi-Fi USB modem

China's Huawei on Friday introduced what it calls the smallest and lightest USB-connected modem in the world, the i-Mo, which will be shown off at the Mobile World Congress next week in Spain. The modem has an 802.11b/g Wi-Fi link along with HSPA wireless data network access that can reach 7.2Mbps download speeds and 5.76Mbps upload speeds. Thanks to its Wi-Fi connection, the i-Mo can create a hotspot of its own for other users of Internet-connected mobile devices.

The i-Mo also has a microSD memory card slot to store data. Huawei will demonstrate the i-Mo on February 16th, where prices for the device are expected to be announced. Huawei expects sales to begin sometime during the spring.